15 Day Tour from London to Paris

Vacation Overview

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Experience Europe’s major highlights on this extraordinary vacation. Begin in London with two overnights and free time to discover the UK’s capital. Cross the English Channel and travel by motorcoach to Amsterdam for a guided sightseeing tour and canal cruise. Journey through the German Rhineland, passing castles and vineyards, then drive through the Tyrolean Alps from Innsbruck on the way to the floating city of Venice. On to Assisi, St. Francis’ town in the Apennine hills. Spend two nights in the “Eternal City” of Rome, visiting archaeological jewels such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Next up: Tuscany with a visit to Florence, the “Cradle of the Renaissance,” and a walking tour that features the Duomo and Signoria Square. On to Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower, then an overnight in fascinating Lake Como, a stop to discover the Swiss subtropical town of Lugano, and Lucerne with its medieval wooden bridge and surrounding mountains. Stop in Interlaken before reaching Lausanne on Lake Geneva, then drink in the beauty of the French vineyards in Burgundian Beaune. Your adventure concludes in fabulous Paris with two overnights and included guided sightseeing.

Guides:

Host service in London. Local Guides for city sightseeing in Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, Paris. Professional Tour Director while touring

NOTE:

March 29 Departure – Easter in Rome

Day 1Arrive in London, England

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2London

A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise on the Thames River? (B)

Day 3London–Amsterdam Area, Holland

Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you embark on your FERRY for the Continent. Meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive to the Amsterdam area. (B)

Day 4Amsterdam Area–Rhineland, Germany

Today, enjoy a CANAL CRUISE to see the town from water level, then watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a DIAMOND CENTER in Amsterdam. Later, sightseeing with a Local Guide points out the city highlights. In the afternoon, travel southward to the Rhineland area for an overnight. (B,D)

Day 5Rhineland–Innsbruck Area, Austria

A choice today of the included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the optional Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards. In the afternoon, ride along the Autobahn to Austria. Overnight in the Innsbruck Area. (B,D)

Day 6Innsbruck Area–Venice Area, Italy

Early morning departure via the Tyrolean Alps to the unique floating city of Venice. This afternoon’s orientation includes a BOAT RIDE followed by a chance to watch Venetian GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 7Venice Area–Assisi–Rome

An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po plain, then through the gentle Umbrian hills to Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous BASILICA with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)

Day 8Rome

The “Eternal City”—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in ST. PETER'S SQUARE, followed by a visit to the ROMAN FORUM and the mighty COLOSSEUM. (B)

Day 9Rome–Florence–Montecatini

An easy drive on the Highway of the Sun to Florence. This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a whole day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic center, so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Don’t miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide that features most of the city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio; Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry, known as the “Gate of Paradise.” Overnight in the spa town of Montecatini. (B,D)

Day 10Montecatini–Pisa–Milan–Lake Como

Start the morning by driving to Pisa to visit the SQUARE OF MIRACLES and to admire the Leaning Tower. Next, journey northwards through the Tuscan hills and across the Po plain to Milan to admire the majestic gothic Duomo. Then, continue to the shores of romantic Lake Como. (B,D)

Day 11Lake Como–Lugano, Switzerland–Lucerne Area

Leave beautiful Lake Como and cross the border into Switzerland for a stop in Lugano in Italian-speaking Ticino. Continue north, and once through Gotthard Tunnel, see more magnificent Alpine scenery as you descend to the shores of Lake Lucerne for an overnight in this area. (B)

Day 12Lucerne Area–Interlaken–Lausanne

This morning, spend some time in this beautiful town. Later, stop in Interlaken and follow the shoreline of Lake Thun. A few more miles to Lausanne, overlooking Lake Leman. (B)

Day 13Lausanne–Beaune, France–Paris

Vistas of famous vineyards on the way to Beaune. Visit the medieval Burgundian town, known the world over for its wine production. Later, take the autoroute to Paris. Tonight, maybe an optional cabaret show? (B)

Day 14Paris

Included sightseeing with a local expert shows off many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. An optional excursion to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles is available. (B)

Day 15Paris

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Transportation: Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in London and Paris if Cosmos issues the air tickets. Round-trip transportation between London and the Channel ports; on the Continent, private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Cross-Channel ferry; canal transfer boat in Venice

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

VITTORIA VACCARO

Years of Experience: 8 years

I love guiding travelers through Europe and turning their travel dreams into reality! It's extremely rewarding to work toward the mutual understanding and respect of cultures and peoples. I put all my energy into what I do, and I feel utmost gratitude when guests leave me with tears of happiness in their eyes and the promise to come back.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on the Europe’s Highlights: